Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-02-04
PRESCRIPTION IN VERMONT.
Railroad station Agents Removed for
supporting Edmunds.


ision of the Central Vermont railroad have
been removed for refusing to work in OPP
position to the election of Senator Ed
munds. Mr.. Pierson, who was agent at
Cuttingsville, over the mountain, near
Rutland, was asked to distribute the Rut-
lard Telegram which was filled daily
with bitter and lying attacks on Ed
munds, and sent out in large numbers at
the expense, as people generally think, of
either eX-Gov. Smith or James G. Blaine.
Pierson wrote Marshall, the business
manager of the paper, a sharp letter,
which Marshall FASTENED to show TO the
railroad authorities, and in q short time
he was removed
more flagraut case is found in the re
mOvhl of Aaron w Cook from the Mount
Holly station. Cook had been agent more
than % years. He is still in the prime of
life, being only IS, and is not only one of
the most popular and obliging agents
along ms Inc, but is prominent and IN
fuentlal citizen He has been representa-
tive in the Legislature, town clerk and
treasurer. Is Low chairman of the board
OF selectmeu, chairman of the repub-
lican town committee, and is recog-
nizcd as a prominent public man in
Rutland county. He is al,o dis
Greet man aud not given to talking too
much with his mouth" Last summer he
was elected delegate to the Rutland
county republican convention. That was
the first of all The conventions in the State
ANA It's attitude on the senatorial question
was expected to be of great influence
smith, therefore, bent every energy to
control the convention Holbrook, his !
station agent at Brandon, made himself
very active and succeeded in getting AN !
anti Edmuuds delegation chosen in what |
the subsequent election proved TO be |
strong Edmunds town. HolbroOk has not |
been bounced. nor will he be, though his |
partlsanship and activity became offensive |
anu pernIclous to majority of the patrons |
OF the road at that station Cam HYDE |
who claims to live in Poultney, in Rut |
land county, but has for many years been |
travelling as agent for smith Bros horse |
powers, made III st. Adams, found that |
the duties OF his employment called him
to canvass Rutland county and he at the
convention ITO meet the farmers" |
and Nat" Clark, the wood agent of
the road, found at the same time that
IL was the best season for him to see
all the farmers and contractors in Mt.
Holly. He did not forget to talk politics,
denounce old Edmunds" and praise
potentate Smith. f. a. Chittenden, the
general freight agent of the road for local
traffic, visited Mt. Holly and saw Agent
CoOR. ms was known in neighbOring
towns at the time and Cook was asked
ABOUT IT, nut ne prudently maintained ST
and voted for the Edmunds resolution and
against Capt. sheldon, the anti-Edmunds |
candidate Tor senator. From that time he |
was marked man, and having heard of
his removal few days ago your CORES
poudent went over the hill and interview
ed him.
AT first he was inclined to reticence
but when assured that 1t was common
talk that his removal in some way dated
back to Chttenden's visit and that his
townsmen, the Hoskinsons, had boosted
thaj IL would occur, he was induced to re
late what transpired on that occasion In
answer To questions he gave the following
highly interesting account of the CONVEX
sation, refreshing his memory from notes
which he said he made Immediately after
Chittenden left him.
''ls it true, Mr.. Cook, that Chittenden |
came to see you on political errand ," (
at is true that he came to see me, and |
that he talked politics.
What did he say ?"
''Well, he said that this senatorial can
yass now them going on would snow |
who were friendly to GOV. smith and who |
were unfrlendly. Iasked him if Gov. smith
was candidate. He replied: 4 do not |
know that he Is, or whether or not he will !
he, but 1t Is evident ne is the man they are |
afraid OF ana it amounts to the same
thing, does it not = | replied that | did |
not think it followed that because "A man
was III favor of Mr. Edmunds's re election
he was necessarily an enemy of Gov.
Smith"
What did Chttenden say to that ~
HE SAID that Is the way we shall con
slider it. "
Was there any further conversation ~
We'll, yes, a little. lie asked who the
Nj. Holly delegates We're to the county
convention. ! replied; Myself, f. Par
meuter and W. Horton He asked Are
they all for Edmunds ? replied 1T is
So understood and told him that we were
going to present Mn Chase of our town
for senator. He asked is he for Ed
munds | replied that 1T was so under
stood He asked who is going to repre-
sent the town this fall ? replied that |
did not know but thought it altogether
probable the representative would be an
Edmunds MANI
Mr. Cook continued to consult his mem
Orauda and the correspondent inquired if
there was any more conversation
Yes, there was more" said he "Mr
Chittenden said 4 have been informed
that you ran the caucus in the interest of
Edmunds and nominated every man but
yourself | replied That is false |
nominated only one man and him to 90 TO
the State convention. | can guess who
your informer is, AS | have some enemies
over the other side of the hill, and 1t has
come to me from them that would lose
my position if ! supported Senator Ed
munds.' BY that time ! began to feel i'm
posed upon and said Now, Mr. Chi
tenden, fully understand you The rail
road company pays me $50 month for
doing their Legitimate work here. II is
not enough; don't consider myself I'M
der any obligations to do any political
work for them, and whatever they paid
me, should not sacrifice my principles
for any consideration"
"W hat did Mr.. Chittenden say to that q,
30, he replied that there were no prin-
Cples about it. | said | thought there
were, though he might call it something
else "
"The talk was then cut off by the ar
rival of the train on which he was to de.
depart As we parted, he said You un-
Gerstand our position in regard to the
matter = and suppose now that do"
The superintendent of the Rutland
division sent on the following letter:
RUTLAND, Vt, Dec. 80, 1856.
A W Cook This will introduce to you
Mr. j. 5. Taylor, who has been sent to
take charge of Mt. Holly station. Mr.
Foss will send the auditor tomorrow or
next day 10 transfer the accounts Please
Chf,tr m Nyhat